A member of Afghan security forces takes part in a military operation in Aqcha district of Jawzjan province, Afghanistan, Aug. 6, 2017. As many as 12 militants have been killed in separate incidents in two northern Afghan provinces, officials said on Sunday. Fighting has escalated as the Taliban insurgency spread from its traditional strongholds in southern and eastern Afghanistan to the once peaceful northern region, where Taliban have been recruiting from the youths. (Xinhua/Mohammad Jan Aria)
